1: The One Where Problems Arise

Safar e Zindagi ko maut e manzil tak jeena hai,

Na rukkna hai na thehrna hai.

(We will live the journey of life till the stage of death, without stopping or waiting)

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Life. One moment you are living it all, the next you are in a bottomless pit. One moment you are in love, the next everything is taken away. One moment you are alive, the next your breathing stops.

A girl was sitting on the porch of her house, her brown hair swaying along with the cold breezes. Her eyes, Filled with peace. Beautiful brown eyes, just like a muddy water, were watching the scenery that was covered in white snow. A cup of hot tea in her hand, her pink plump lips would bring the cup to her lips and take a sip. This all felt real.

Hayat was Ibraheem's daughter, her father was very much interested in politics and so he was one of the biggest supporters of Mirza Ali, the prime minister of Pakistan.

Hayat saw the time and realized that she hadn't performed her Asr prayer. Hayat stepped into her room, thoroughly did ablution and stood on the prayer matt. She was connected to Allah and believed that whatever He had planned was far more better than what Hayat had planned herself.

After saying salam, Hayat saw her father leaning against her room's door, watching her with adoration but there was something in his eyes, something that was bothering her father.

Ibraheem knew that what he was about to do was selfish, his daughter, she never asked for anything, after her mother passed away, she was there for her father. They would have father-daughter bonding time when they would both sit down and drink tea, speaking a lot through silence.

Once a girl who was known for her stubbornness had grown up, now she wasn't a girl, she was a woman. A wise one. Ibraheem loved his daughter more than anything but in some matters, he was still selfish.

"Baba, What is it?" Hayat spoke in a soft voice, her father had tears in his eyes.

"My..." His voice broke, he cleared his throat, "Daughter I am asking for a favour from you" Ibraheem's voice was strong and confident.

Hayat somehow knew what he was about to ask would question her own dignity.

"I want you to marry Azlaan Ali"

Hayat's whole existence froze, Azlaan Ali, the son of Mirza Ali. Azlaan who was fighting to be the Prime Minister of Pakistan after his father.

Hayat hadn't ever met him, she hadn't even seen him.

How could she even say yes ?

Her father's reputation was on line here, he would do anything to solve it, by hook or by crook.

"Okay Father" Hayat's voice was soft and heavy, Ibraheem knew that his daughter was crying whilst her face was lowered.

A father had successfully broken his daughter completely.

"They'll come after the sun sets" Ibraheem informed her and left her room quietly.

Hayat couldn't move, She couldn't complain as her father had done a lot for her, now it was her turn.

A few minutes later, Bibi Ayesha walked in Hayat's room, The girl was silently sitting on her bed. Bibi Ayesha knew that there was a storm hurling inside of her. Bibi Ayesha had made this little girl into a wise and respectable woman. A woman who accepted everything that came her way. Hayat also had a wild side but mostly she would keep quiet.

Bibi Ayesha helped Hayat to get ready and then after Isha, Mirza Ali arrived along with his family. Hayat placed the duppata (scarf) on her head, she gracefully yet timidly stepped down the stairs, Everyone was in the dining room.

Hayat's heart was beating frantically, Allah had surely concocted a much better story for Hayat.

Hayat stepped inside the dining room, she kept her head lowered but she could feel everyone's eyes on her.

"This is my daughter, Hayat Hashim" Ibraheem introduced his daughter and made her sit next to him.

"MashaAllah, Bohot pyari bachi hai" (May God protect her from evil eye, She's very pretty) Mirza Ali's wife, Tania Ali said.

Hayat raised her head and brown clashed with hazel, there he was, sitting right in front of her, looking at her. Inspecting her, it was like he wanted her to do something wrong, to burst, to be angry but she remained quiet.

Mirza Ali asked Azlaan and Hayat to go speak in private as the elders want to talk about some important stuff.

Hayat stood up first and led him to her room, Azlaan was mesmerized by her beauty under the moon light.

"Asalam O Alaikum" His authoritative voice reached Hayat's ears and she nodded her head while softly saying Walaikum Asalam.

"Hayat I would like to clear some things" Azlaan stated, his voice cold which made Hayat shiver.

"You will not disrespect me" Azlaan took a step closer towards her.

"You will respect all of our family traditions and ways" One more step closer.

"You won't wear any inappropriate clothes as I have a very respectful image of myself, Understood?" Azlaan said while taking one more step closer, now they both were standing very close to each other, Hayat's head was reaching Azlaan's nose.

Hayat nodded her head, Azlaan was shocked, he thought she would object to some things but she agreed with him without a fight.

Azlaan wanted a wife that could challenge him, just like Aayla, then why was he satisfied with Hayat, He wanted to protect her, Put his arms around this girl and hide her from the evil world.

Aayla was the one for him yet he didn't get the piece of satisfaction and The urge to protect her, This innocent little girl had struck his heart quiet hard.

She intrigued him, He wanted to know more about her.

The heart is a very strange little thing. It's function is to provide blood only yet it still manages to beat for the ones we love. It still has place for the one and only.

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Allah didn't say that love was haram, no. Allah said continuing love with a non-mehram is haram, You could marry the person you love and Allah will be happy with you or you could love the person you married and Allah would be still happy with you. Love is a blessing from Allah, The only love that hurts is that which is with the wrong one, love the right person and you shall find peace.